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This is a very thought provoking idea. Ise Jingu is the practice of rebuilding a set of famous 7th century shrines exactly every 20 years, using traditional techniques and materials, to preserve process knowledge.
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The core example definitely is, but for a religion, that’s the whole point. The other examples… EUV machines, SR-71 engines… more serious
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Military tech might be a distracting edge-case.... And the EUV case seems almost like an opposite case - single institution more likely to protect (useful) knowledge than when it's distributed?
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I think you’re getting distracted by the religious ceremonial function aspect. I think that’s irrelevant. Utilitarian example: fishing boats in Kerala are based on an old Roman design plus Chinese origin fishing nets. Preserved design knowledge via largely oral tradition.
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